Circuit control apparatus



Aug. 2, 1932. 4 w 5 1,870,127

CIRCUIT CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Feb. 17. 1950 s Sheets-Sheet i o 20 a a :1 5 I; s P Q 2 i Q fi F I E l F I B. E-

5 i 3mm LESTER LLEW 1 5 Aug. 2, 1932. gw s 1,870,127

' CIRCUIT CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Feb. 1'7, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4-

Qwuentot LESTER LL WIE Aug. 2, i932. LEWIS 1,870,127

' CIRCUIT CONTROL APPARATUS Fild Feb. 1'7, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 6 gmmtoz LEETEE LLEWIE,

41.115 dttomwq Patented 1932 UNZETED STATES LESTER L. LEWIS, OF NEW CASTLEIENNSYLVANIA CIRCUIT CONTROL APPARATUS Application filed February 17, 1930. Serial No. 429,164.

In the operation of transport devices, such as automobiles, aircraft, watercraft, and the like, control and direction of light rays and other electrical-circuit governed equipment 6 are desirable, and the present invention relates to circuit control apparatus for such equipment.

The primary object in view is dependable and efficient responsiveness, and a second ob- 10 ject is durability under the trying conditions of use in such transport devices.

In greater detail, a further object is the automatic making and breaking of a circuit relative to the movement of other parts without limitation in the extent of such movement, and a still more detailed object is the preservation of the circuit closer in a stationary condition subsequent to the circuitclosing operation during all movements of the actuator other than a return to the initial position.

With these and further objects in view aswill in part hereinafter become apparent and in part be stated, the invention comprises a circuitmake and brcaln'an actuator for shifting the make and break to and from circuitclosing position, and means of connection between the actuator and the said make and break for enabling the actuator to have excess movement beyond the circuit-closing movement without varying the relation of the make and break.

The invention also comprises a ravity-responsive switch, an actuator for s ifting the switch to and from a circuit-closing position, and means of connection between the actuator and switch for leaving the actuator free for excess movement beyond the circuit-closing position while causing the switch to remain stationary.

The invention still further includes in the combination last recited means for moving the gravity-responsive switch to the circuitclosing position in such relation to the carrying vehicle as to add the increment of centrifugal force on the gravity-responsive switch to the gravity action in reaching the circuit-closing position.

The invention further comprises a gravityresponsive switch, means for shifting the switch to and from a circuit closing position relative to movements of the vehicle, and a circuit closed by said switch located to have the closing movement of the switch correspond in direction to the direction of centrifugal force.

The invention also comprises certain other novel constructions, combinations, and ar rangements of parts as subsequently specified and claimed.

In the accompanying draWings,

Figure 1 is a vertical section through an embodiment of the present invention, parts being seen in elevation,,and the parts being indicated as applied to a vehicle.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the parts seen in Figure l, with the parts of the vehicle omitted. I

, Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 wit the parts shown in full lines in one extreme 79 of their movement and in dotted lines in the opposite extreme of movement.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken approximately on the plane indicated 'by line 44 of Figure 2, and looking downward.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a. diiferent embodiment of the invention, one set of controlled circuits being indicated diagrammatically. 1

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken central 8o ly through the parts seen in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 of the preferred embodiment of the invention in which switches similar to those seen. in F i ures 1 and 6 are employed.

s set forth in my several co-pending aplications identified, respectively, as Serial 0. 420,996, filed J anuar 15, 1930, and Serial No. 425,675, filed Fe ruary 3, 1930, and also as indicated in my twoco-pending ap plications filed even date herewith, it is de sirable to control lighting and other circuits for automobiles and other vehicles. A particularly eflic 'ent control for such purpose is comprehended in the present invention.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 indicated a part of a vehicle, such as the radiator of an automobile, and 2 one of the cross beams of the frame of the vehicle, while 3 indicates the usual dust pan, and 4 the cross bar or cross link of the steering gear. These parts are illustrated as conveniently located for the reception of an embod'ment of: the present invention, but it should be understood that the invention may be applied at any appropriate location, and, since the invention is especially adapted for actuation by and incident to movement of the steering gear or other partsjmoving according to d rectional changes in the advance of the vehicle, it is only necessary that the embodiment of the invention should be so located that any appropriate linkage, cable, or the like may transmit movements thereto. For the purpose of specific illustration, the location shown has been selected, and when the device is applied in this location, a bracket plate 5 is bolted or otherwise appropriately ixed to the cross beam 2, the bracket plate 5 being provide'cl with an appropriate offset portion sand 11' pendent arm 7 Arm 7 met erably extends through the dust pan 3 or otherwiseprojects in such relation to the cross bar orlink 1 as to facilitate the connections hereinafter described.

A 'closed hous'ng8 is mounted upon and fixed to the bracket 5, and extending into the housing from. beneath is a lever 9, pivoted at 10 to the arm 7 and extending below the arm, and carrying at its lower end an appropriate socket bearing 11 into which is fitted the. ball of one terminus of a link 12, the other end of link 12 having a pivoted (pref erably ball and socket joint) connection at 13 with a sleeve 14 preferably detachable but rigidly, clamped to the cross bar or link 4.

The upper end portion of lever 9 extends into the housing 8, and since said housing is closed, a slot 15' is provided in the lowermost wall of the housing to accommodate the lever and to allow of edgewise movement thereof incident to swinging on the pivot 10.

The upper end port'on of the lever 9 is capable of a wide range of detailed modification, but essentially consists of or provides a v guideway for an elastic connection, and in the embodiment specifically illustrated in the drawings, such guideway consists of a pair of grooved rollers 16, 16 pivoted at 17 17 to the upper end portion of the lever 9, while an elastic connection 18 extends between and is adapted to ride over the said rollers 16. The elastic connection 18 is fixed at its lower end by a pin 19 to the lever 9, and at its upper end engages the switch carrier hereinafter to be described. Said elastic connection 18 may comprise any appropriate elast'c cord, and, as seen in the drawings, consists of a helical spring. 7

The switch carrier just referred to, in its preferred embodiment, consists of a pair of plates 20, 20 connected by a yoke 21, but, as will become obvious, a single one of the plates 20 and any appropriate connection in lieu of to the respective side wall of the housing 8 and project, respectively, through slots 22. The pins 23 are arranged in the same horizontal plane, and the slots 22 are located in plate 20 in such position as to extend downwardly from the pins, that is, so as to have the pins located at the upper ends of the slots when the plates 20 are in position with the yoke 21in an upstanding position, as seen in Figure 2. The coiled spring or elastic connection 18 has its upper end fixed to the yoke 21, and while the upper end portion of lever 9 extends between the plates 20, it is obvious that the lever may be sufficiently short not to lap the plates, and it is also obvious that the spring 18 may have thcengagement indirated with the yoke 2.1 without the interposition of the guide rollers 16, save only that the guide rollers and upward extension of the lever assures quick action of the yoke 21 and plates 20 in response to movements of the lever 9.

The cover plate of housing 8 carries a pair of contact points 24, 24, spaced both laterally and longitudinally of said cover and insulated therefrom but engaged by binding posts 25, 25, disposed exteriorly of the cover of housing 8. Lead wires 26 and 27 extends from the binding posts 25 to the parts to be controlled. Fixed to the upper part of the cross bar of yoke 21 is a contact plate 28 having contact fingers 29 and 30, one of said fingers being alined with respect to one of the contacts 24:, while the other finger is alined located to contact with the respective contact points 24 when the plates 20 are oscillated on the pins 23, 23, respectively, as pivots.

In operation, assuming the invention to be applied to an automobile, the first shifting movement of the steering gear which effects a slight longitudinal thrust of the cross bar or link 4 will result in a corresponding shifting of the lever 9 which causes upper end portion to move either toward the full line position or toward the dotted line-position of Figure 3. As the levermoves toward such position, the plates will begin to swing on the particular pivot pin at that side corresponding with the side toward which the up per end portion of the lever moves, The opposing slot 22 will travel along its pin 23 until the wall at the end of the slot strikes the pin and causes the plate to cease its pivotal either as indicated in iuli lines or as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3, and either finger 30 or finger 29 will be in engagement with its respective contact point 24. This circuit-closing position of the respective contact finger will be attained considerably prior to the reaching of the position by lever 9, indicated in Figure 3, but after the switch has reached the point of contact there will be no. further movement of the plates 20 because in each instance one of the pins 23 will be at one end of one slot 22 while the other pin 23 will be att-he opposite end of the other slot- 22, and further pivotal movement in that direction is impossible. The operator may vary the degree of his turning movement practically as much as he pleases without causing dlsconnection of the contact between the respective finger and the contact point 24, since the excess movement of the act-uator lever 9 is permitted by the elasticity of spring 18 beginning as soon as the location of the pins 23 with respect to the slots 22 precludes further pivotal movement or swinging of plates 20. When the turning movement ceases and the straightening of the vehicle on its new course occurs, the return of the link or cross bar 4 to its initial position will cause a corresponding return of the plates 20 by which the plates assume the position shown in Figure 2, and the contact is again broken.

In Figures 5 and 6 are illustrated another embodiment of the invention differing from that described only in that a gravity responsive switch is einpioyed in lieu (if a mechanical contact switch, and it should be understood that the two switches ma well be employed in one and the same evice and so connected as to terminals that one will supplement the other, so that if one should fail for any cause, the other will be relatively cer tain to operate.

In the embodiment seen in Figures 5 and 6, a housing 8' corresponding in form and function with housing 8 is employed with a lever 9' extending into the housing, the latter being pivoted at 10 to the arm 7 of the bracket 5' fixed to the cross bar 2'. Plates 20, 20 are mounted in the housing 8 and provided with the connecting yoke 21' engaged by the spring 18 of lever 9. Spring 18 is guided by grooved rollers 16, 16' carried by the lever 9. Each plate 20 is provided with an arcuate slot 22' near each opposite edge, and studs or pins 23 extend inward from the housing 8 into said slots forfunctioning the same as the corres onding parts or" the struc ture above descrl ied. However, either in lieu of or in addition to the mechanical switch above described, one of the plates 20- carries a gravity-responsive switch 28"consisting of a tube of mercury or like conductor fluid, the tube being preferably made of metal and welded or otherwise appropriately fixed to the respective'plate 20'. The tube is substantialiy V-shaped for the main ortion of its body and provided withstrictures 31, 31 for suppressing surging of the contained liquid. The terminal portions of the tube of switch 28' are bent outward to a position substantially horizontal, as at 32, 32, when the switch is in the non-contacting position, so that each of said terminal portions will be suificiently inclined to form substantially a well when the circuit-closing position. Each terminal portion 32 isclosed by an insulating plug-33 through which extends the contact point 34 within the area accessible to the mercury of switch 28'. A lead line 35 extends from one of the contacts 34 and a similar lead 36-eXt9nds from the other contact 34, one to binding post 37 and the other to binding post 38. Binding posts 37 and 38 are carefully insulated from the housing and surrounding parts which serve as a ground for oneside of the circuit. Binding post 37 is connected through a lead wire 39 and branch wires 40,40 to one side of a'rear signal light 41, and to one side of lateral ray lights 42, 42 located in headlight housings 43. The diagrammatic showing in Figure 5 assumes the parts to be observed from the rear of the vehicle. The opposite side of each light 42 is connected by a line 44 with a line 45 which is supplied with current from any appropriate source, not illustrated, and whose circuit is completed through a return wire 46 grounded at 47. The opposite side of 1i ht 42 is connected by wire 40 with wire 45. tral lights 48, 48 for the forward rays of headlights 43 are connected at one side of the line 45, while the other side of said central lights is grounded. The binding post 38 is connected through a lead wire 49 and branch wires 50, 50, to one side of a-rear light 51, and a lateral ray light 52 in each of-the headlights 43, each of the lateral ray lights 52 being at the opposite side of the central light 48 from that side at which the respective light 42 appears. The opposite side of each light 52 is connected by a wire 53 with the supply line 45, and the side of light 51 opposite branch line 50 is connected by a wire 50' with the wire 45.

Thus, in operation, when the lever 9' is whereat the contained mercury .fiows by gravity to a position contacting with the respective contact point 34, and as the tube 28 is of 'metalthe ground contact is completed. So that, when the operator shifts his steering mechanism for turning to the right, the connecting link 12' will be shifted to move the lever 9 to the position seen in full lines in Figure 5, and thereupon current will flow from line 45 through lights 52 and through line and light 51 to branch lines 50, 50, and thence through line 49 to binding post 38, lead 36, contact 34, the contained mercury, and tube 28 to ground, and thence through ground to the return wire 46. \Vhen the switch returns to the upright position of plates 20', the circuit will be broken and the lights 51 and 52 will be extinguished. The opposite shifting of the lever 9' will similarly close the circuit for lights 41 and 4:2. It should be observed that the location of the parts is such that whichever set of lights has its circuit closed by the switch 28, the movement of the vehicle at the time of such circuitclosing will be in that direction adding the centrifugal force of movement about a curve to the force of gravity in increasing the speed of movement and insuring correct movement of the mercury in the tube 28.

Since link 12' engages lever 9 above its pivot, to afford the desirable and proper tilting of the switch 28, the lower portion of the lever 9 below the pivot 10' may be omitted. or other leverage connections may be provided to transmit movement in the proper direction for shifting the lever 9 in the required directionfor effecting the correct circuit-closing. It will be observed, of course, that when the lights 52 are illuminated, lateral rays will be directed toward the right side of the vehicle,

and when lights 52 are extinguished and lights 42 are illuminated, the lateral rays will be directed toward the left side of the vehicle, so that in each instance illumination of the roadway will occur at the inside of the curve, according to the direction of progress. The rear lights 41 and 51 serve to signal to those in the rear the intended course to be pursued, and said lights may bear any appropriate indicia in the form of instruction or information.

As above indicated, the mechanical contact switch and the gravity- -responsive switch atford opportunity for efl'ective supplemental cooperation whereby, in the use of both switches on the same actuator, the opening and closing of the circuit may be simultaneously accomplished by both switches, and each, therefore, supplements the action of the other and contributes an increment of certainty in operation, since the breaking or liecoming defective of each switch leaves the other intact and thereby assures continued dependability of action. In Figure 7 is illustrated the combination of the mechanical switch of Figures 1 to 4 and of the gravityresponsive switch of Figures 5 and 6. Since the parts thus assembled in Figure 7 are id entical with those above described and the same operation occurs, except that each switch supplements the other and is connected to work in multiple with it, whereby failure of one. w ll not result in failure of the switch mechanism, the same reference numerals have been applied to Figure with respect to corresponding parts of Figures 1 and 6 respec tively. and to avoid duplication of description the structure and operation will not be repeated.

The spring 18, as will be observed, is tensioned to stress the operating lever 9 toward its initial position when released, and also to stress the switches toward the open circuit position, so that supplemental means for the restoration of the parts after a circuit-closing operation is not required.

Vhat is claimed is 1. In circuit control apparatus, the combination. with a support, of a U-shaped plate pivotally engaging the support, a circuitclosing switch connected to be moved by the plate to and from a circuit-closing position, and an actuating lever for the plate extending between the sides of the plate and resiliently connected to the yoke of the plate.

2. In circuit control apparatus. the combination, with a support. of pivot pins extending therefrom. a slotted plate engaging said pins, a plurality of switches carried by said plate, and means for alternately pivoting said plate on either of said pivot pins while accommodating movement of the plate relative to the other pin by the slotted engagement therewith.

3. In circuit control apparatus, the combination, with spaced contact points, a plurality of spaced pivot pins, a plate having a slot for each of said pins engaging the same, the said plate being adapted to be rocked on either of the pins while movement of the plate is accommodated with respect to the other pin incident to the slotted engagement therewith, and a plurality of switches carried by the plate adapted to be alternately brought in contact with the respective contact points.

4;. In circuit control apparatus, the combination, with spaced contact points. of a plurality of spaced pivot pins, a plate having a slot for each of said pins engaging the same, the said plate being adapted to be rocked on either of the pins while movement of the plate is accommodated with the respect to the other pin incident to the slotted engagement therewith, a plurality of switches carried by the plate adapted to be alternately brought in contact with the respective contact points. and means for oscillating the plate.

5. In circuit control apparatus, be combination. with spaced contact points, of a plurality of spaced pivot pins, a plate having a slot for each of said pins engaging the same, the said plate being adapted to be rocked on either of the pins while movement f the plate is accommodated with respect to the other pin incident to the slotl ed engagement therewith, a plurality of switches carried by the plate adapted to be alternately brought in contact with the respective contact points, and elastic means for oscillating the plate.

6. In circuit control apparatus, the combination, with spaced contact points, of a pluelastic means being tensioned to restore the I rality of spaced pivot pins, a plate having a slot for each of said pins engaging the, same, the said plate being adapted to be rocked on either of the pins while movement of the plate is accommodated with respect to the other pin incident to the slotted engagement therewlth, a plurality of switches carried by the plate adapted to be alternately brought in contact with the respective contact points, elastic means for oscillating the plate, and an actuator for said elastic oscillating means movable beyond the limits of movement of the late.

p 7. The combination of a movably mounted switch, a pivoted lever for actuating the switch, an elastic connection between the lever and switch for transmitting movement from the lever to the switch and for permitting the lever to move beyond the limits of the movement of the switch, and anti-friction guiding means for the elastic connection, said anti- :friction guiding means being carried by the lever.

8. In circuit control apparatus, the combination of a gravity-responsive fluid switch adapted to be mounted on a vehicle for controlling a circuit relative to a turning movement of'the vehicle, and means for actuating the switch for controlling a circuit, the switch being located to move transversely of the lines of advance of the vehicle so as to supplement gravity actuation by centrifugal force.

9. In circuit control apparatus, the com bination of a gravity-responsive fluid switch adapted to be mounted on a vehicle for controlling circuits relative to turning movements of the vehicle, and means for actuating the switch for controlling a circuit at each terminus of movement of the switch, the switch being located to move transversely of the lines of advance of the vehicle so as to supplement gravity actuation by centrifugal force at each terminus of movement of the switch.

10. In circuit control apparatus, the combination, with a circuit-closing switch, of a plate carrying the same having a plurality of guideways, pivoting and guiding pins engag mg said guideways, and means for rocking the plate for shifting the circuit-closing switch to and from a circuit-closing position, said pins being located relative to each other and to the guideways for alternately afi'ording pivotal action of the plate on one and then the other of said pins and causing the plate to be guided in its movement by the pin not serving as a pivot at a given time.

11. The combination, with a switch and an actuator for shifting the same to and from a circuit-closing position from an initial circuit-breaking position, of elastic means for transmitting movement from the actuator to the switch, the elastic means being located to most nearly approach a relaxed condition when the parts are in the initial position, said switch and actuator to the being released.

12. In circuit control apparatus for vehicle lights, the combination Ifof a gravity responsive switch, a gravity-responsive switch element carryin the gravity-responsive switch and exten ing transversely of the line of vehicular travel and pivoted to rock to enable its ends alternately to receive the gravityactua'ted switch, said switch element being held against rocking otherwise than across said lines of vehicular travel and means for rocking the switch element for controlling a circuit.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

LESTER L.- LEWIS.

initial position on 

